Dean Frech's Blog, page 34

Be Daring, Be Different

Be daring, be different, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers ~ Cecil Beaton

Even thought I don't have kids, I love back to school. It's another "New Year" for me and a chance to get focused on goals for the rest of the year.  The warm summer weather and other activities can be distracting, so the back to school activities seem to help get me focused.

What are you doing to be daring for this last part of the year?





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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Correct Your Mind

When you correct your mind, everything else will fall into place ~ Lao Tzu

Even as you start to achieve milestone goals, negative thoughts can still creep into your dream journey. Like the quote says, I've found that correcting my mind always helps me move forward.

I've been working hard at positive self talk for along time, over twenty years. I still have my moments of insecurity and negativity that requires me to refocus. What helps me is to peel away the negative comments and tones to try to understand the intended message.  That can be hard and frustrating sometimes, but it's easier to move forward.

Listen for the intended message, tune out negative and extraneous comments, and I'm sure you'll be able to learn from the message.

How do you tune out negativity?




______________________________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from iTunes on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod today!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Don't Take it Too Seriously

Don't take it or yourself too seriously--it's just life. You're allowed to make mistakes, screw things up and fall down (which everyone does and always will). Be kind to yourself in this process. Remember your intentions (those states of being and your authentic desires) are what you're truly after, not the specific outcomes or actions ~ Mike Robbins

I post a lot about developing routines and boundaries and sticking to those routines. Routines are how I get things done; boundaries keep me from ignoring the other parts of my life.

None of it matters if you're aren't having fun. The whole point of my dream journey is to possibly change careers to do something more enjoyable from home. But if it's not fun building the business, then it's not going to be enjoyable when you're able to quit working a full time job.

Some may argue that it will be better once you are doing it full-time, but think about it.  If something is bothering you when you're only doing it part-time, imagine the bother when you do it full time?

In my experience, not all stress or "not having fun" times are bad. You need those along the way to appreciate the good the times.  Just don't take things too seriously when you hit those bumps. For me that usually means it is time to slow for just a bit.

What do you do when things aren't fun anymore?




______________________________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Kobo today!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Every Day is an Opportunity

Every day is an opportunity to learn something or discover something or someplace. Be curious, play, go out on a limb, walk a different way to work, try a new food at dinner and keep learning and growing ~ Sandra Magsamen

I recently learned another tip about writing in POV and did it ever make sense.  I continue to learn more about the craft of writing with two complete manuscripts under my belt, one of which is published.

No matter what level you get to in your dream journey, I can imagine there are always new things to learn.  You just have to be open to try new things, experience new things. I will be the first to tell you I can be stuck in the methods that work for me. More recently I can also tell you that the new things I've tried have been beneficial for my writing.

What new tip or trick have you tried on your dream journey today?

P.S. Happy Birthday, Mom!


______________________________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Smashwords today!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

DISAPPEAR WITH ME

It is done! I have sent Disappear With Me to my editors and anxiously awaiting a decision.  It took me four and a half years to get A Place to Call Their Own ready for this point and I did Disappear With Me in about fifteen months.  I feel like I'm getting better at this.

Here is a blurb about Disappear With Me:

In 1910, the United Kingdom was in turmoil.  King Edward died after only nine years on the throne.  The social class system that upheld British society for centuries was being chipped away by social, political, and economic unrest across the Commonwealth. Amidst this backdrop, Reverend Leander Normal is accused of sodomy.  After discovering his own self-worth and the meaning of unconditional love, Leander finds the courage to stand up for what he believes is right and pleads not guilty to the charges. Throughout the trial,  Leander’s past is revealed, including the temptations that bring the accusations against him. By the end of the trail, Leander is once again reunited with a romantic interest from the past. It may be too late to rekindle any love that might remain, given the circumstances of the era and Leander’s likely sentence. Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Leander convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?


What do you think of the 1910 Edwardian Period in film or books?

Your Own Energy

The first thing to realize is that you are in control of your own energy. You can begin to use basic energy--the kind that comes from food, air, loving relationships, nature's beauty and the flow of creativity--for your own good. All these sources of energy are available to you all the time.d They are a part of your birthright; they connect you to the flow of life, which is constantly renewing itself ~ Deepak Chopra

There are days when I cannot count on any else's energy but my own. As a matter of fact, I've just had a couple of weeks of relying on my own energy to move forward on my next project. Just when it seems like things should be getting easier with writing, it just gets tougher and tougher.

Sometimes the only energy I can muster is to sit down and get started on the task and just do it.  The simple act of doing helps me do more. It's one of the easiest lessons I've learned about this endeavor.

I hope you can gleam the same wisdom as it applies to your dream journey.  Just do it and you will find the energy you need to continue.

Where do you find energy?




______________________________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from OmniLit today!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Do-Overs

You can have a do-over starting today. But you have to get over the feeling that it's too late ~ Jean Chatzky

Yesterday, many of the school districts in the Kansas City area went back to school.  Man that's early! Even when I was in school we didn't go back until the third or fourth full week of August.

I've posted before about what the month of August means to me, a renewal of sorts. Because my dad was a teacher, August always felt like the New Year in our house. And it still feels that way sometimes.

There are still four and a half months left of the New Year, there's plenty of time to get started, if not completed, goals or resolutions set back in January.  I am diligently working on two myself and renewed by the August/Back to School itch.

Are you feeling a do-over coming on for the end of 2013?




______________________________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from All Romance today!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Transform Your Life

In every moment, not matter what is going on, you have the power within you to transform both you and your life ~ Ed and Deb Shapiro

What are you doing this weekend to transform your life?

You Are Who You Are

 
No self-judgment, no self-criticism, and no self-dislike allowed today! None of it! You are who you are, and who you are is perfect just as it is ~ Ed and Deb Shapiro
There's not much I can add to this quote today, it pretty much speaks for itself. I hope you've got some great plans this weekend, whether you're doing something fun or working on your dream journey (which should be a version of fun, right?).

What are you up to this weekend?



______________________________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Barnes and Noble today!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media! 

Bouncing Back Buoyantly

What was one of the easiest, yet most powerful,strategies for bouncing back buoyantly from adversity? Remembering the mantra, "I must watch the words I use--because they create the world I see!" ~ Karen Salmansohn

Even when things are going well and your dream journey is progressing there can be set backs.  My biggest setback right now is just the time to work on new projects. Energized by the publication of my first novel and the excitement of finishing a second manuscript and starting a third project, I just don't have enough time in my day to work on projects like I want to.

That's as negative as I get these days. It's taken years of practice and adjustment to get to this point. You have to practice not thinking negative.  Even when a negative thought creeps in, you have immediately fix it and fixate on the positive thought that counteracts it.

How do you keep positive on your dream journey?



______________________________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Amazontoday!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!